With two outs and the tying run on base in the 14th, Harper grounded out to end the game, his worst to date as a major leaguer.

It was almost Jeter’s worst game as well. The future Hall of Famer singled into the hole between short and third in the top of the 14th to avoid what would have been his first 0-for-7 ever. He also committed an error in the game.

The game went into extra innings after home plate umpire Ted Barrett botched a call in the eighth, denying the Nationals’ their fourth run even though Tyler Moore touched home plate well ahead of Russell Martin‘s tag.

Mark Teixeira had the big hit for the Yankees, driving in both runs in the 14th with his double. Freddy Garcia, making his first appearance in 11 days and just his second since May 21, recorded the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Rafael Soriano got the save despite a shaky bottom of the 14th.

The Yankees won a game they clearly didn’t deserve. The missed call at home plate was terrible. The win is their 8th in a row and 18 of their last 22. The Yankees pitching staff has been the best in MLB during the month of June with a team era of 2.14. A Yankee win tomorrow would be a rare road trip sweep. As the Yankees separate themselves from the chaff in the AL, they finally proved they can win a game without the benefit of a home run. The last team in baseball to do it this year. If the Yankees can improve they’re horrific offense with RISP (today 2-18), they’ll run away with the division.

True but 3 of the Nats first 4 hits (including the one that generated their only two runs prior to the 8th) came off broken bats while the Yanks were lining the ball over the place in the form of “at ‘em balls” & upper deck shots going foul by a few rows of seats.

The homeplate umps’ strikezone was a damn joke to boot, especially that rally killing called third strike on Tex that would have hit a right handed batter in the ass.

The Baseball God’s giveth & taketh away and in the end the team that squared up on more stuff today got the “w”.

MLB needs instant replay. What is wrong with getting the call right? It takes very little time to have a 4th ump review plays and be dialed in with the homeplate ump to get the correct call. It is stupid to have the home viewers see that the umps are not getting the job done. MLB has to embrace technology for the growth of the game. Talk about being able to fix games, the umps never overturn anything, they just use the its the way I saw it.

I’ve said it before, but as far as cliff lee and Roy Halliday are concerned, I’m certain they’re second guessing their decisions to sign for Philly. The money would be similar, anywhere. They signed figuring they’d be winning there. The ring being the impetus. Now that they’re aging, along with the ball club, enduring season altering injuries and a window that is closing rapidly, if it remains open at all, I wonder if they consider their decisions a mistake. History will be that ultimate arbiter. And that will only be determined if they win a world series championship.

I agree that call was shameful. Sure, today my favorite team benefitted from the blown call, but I’d rather the call be correct. If that means losing today, so be it. It would be comforting to know that whenever feasible, the right call would be made. That’s only possible with technology and replay.

Inspite of the missed run at home it was one exciting game of two well matched ballclubs going tit for tat. A game I spent cursing and cheering for the game we love so well. There will be more, the Yankees guarantee it!

Perhaps the most ominous fact was brought up in the Washington Post this morning, the Yanks pounded Harper with low and away sliders and he couldn’t lay off. Hence the eternal arms race for young hitters begins: the Yankees found a hole in Harper’s swing and exploited it. Other teams are sure to follow suit. How long before Harper adjusts, this will be perhaps the best indicator of his future success, much more so than his first 100 abs.